Last day in Roma

After our late night waiting for the Pope last night we thought we would try a more direct approach and went to visit the Vatican City.
Another very popular place. After lining up for about one hour we finally got into the Vatican museum which includes the Sistine Chapel.
As well as the Sistine Chapel, the museum is HUGE and contains many different ancient artifacts (egyptian, Roman etc) but by this stage we are all starting to glaze over at the sight of all these things (except for Cameron who cannot seem to get enough of the audio guides!).
Of course the Sistine Chapel is amazing and we spent quite a while admiring that before heading out to admire the front of St Peter's Basilica and square.

And now here we are in an Internet place making probably the final blog :(

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See you all soon - can't wait to catch up on all the news at home!
xxxooo

When in Rome...

Today we did a self guided tour of Rome using the Metro trains and on foot. This are the things that we visited...
Spanish Steps; Piazza Navona where we met a priest from Texas who told us about a parade happening this evening where the Pope himself would be present (more on this later); Pantheon - awesome; Time Elevator - a 4D show about the history of Rome which we really needed; Trevi Fountain revisit; Pyramid; circus maximus; St Mary in Cosmedin - where we all put our hands in the Mouth of the Truth and came out unscathed!; wandered by the river and over to the Island Tiberina on the river; Marcellus Theatre - really old and looks a lot like the colloseum; Capitol Hill; gelati at the oldest Italian icecream factory; and finallly back to the room for a rest!
After a rest, a beer and waiting for a small rain storm to pass we went back to a local restaurant for dinner where I had the most awesome vegie antipasta I have ever eaten. YUM!
Everyone was satisfied and so we went to the street nearby where the priest from this morning had told us about the parade. Eventually we found out that the parade was not going to happen because of the rain (!) but that the pope was probably going to come past at some stage...so we waited...it is so weird what people will do and we are not even catholics!! Anyway we waited and we did see the man and it was nice - he looked really happy and joyful which was lovely. It was brief and it was late but when in Rome...

Rome - Trevi Fountain - Roman Forum - Palantine

We moved out a little more slowly this morning as the celebrations for Republic Day were going on and there were crowds and streets blocked off and marching and shouting and jets flying - it was all happening.
First we walked to the Trevi Fountain - a very popular place. We finally found a spot where we could throw our coins in the fountain ensuring our return to Rome one day.
After lunch we walked to the Roman Forum and the Palantine (palace) and explored that area for a couple of hours. It is really overwhelming how huge and grand these places must have been. It can be difficult to comprehend at times.
Afterwards we needed gelato and a rest before getting supplies for an antipasta style dinner in our room.

The last leg begins

Today we took the last drive in the car to Roma! Three cheers to Chris for doing the majority of the driving - especially in Italy where the roads are crazy and busy - he has done a marvelous job of getting us around safely.
After dropping off the hire car we had to make our way via bus to the centre of Rome and then on foot to our accomodation. We are staying in a groovy little B&B which is close to many of the famous monuments (all within a 2km walk).
Seriously - if you ever need help to book accomodation ask Chris to help you with the research. The places we have stayed have all been fabulous, interesting and within budget!
So after a little rest (and an espresso from the machine in our room!) we walked to the Colloseum and took a tour and a wander around. It is HUGE and amazing.
Tomorrow is a holiday/celebration day in Italy - something to do with republic day (?) so we are not sure what to expect but we are thinking our last leg of the trip in Rome is going to be great, while at the same time we are getting very excited about coming home.

Island of Capri

Up and out early this morning to catch the transport to the Isle of Capri. Firstly we hopped on the crazy fast bus that twisted and turned its way down to the marina in Sorrento, then ran to catch the 7.45am ferry over to the island. We definately felt like we were on the Amazing Race and about to be eliminiated!
Things calmed down after we arrived on the island. We took a boat with a guide around the whole island checking out the many grottos including a blue grotto where the sun shines through and creates this amazing blue colour in the water. Very peaceful and beautiful - spectacular scenery and very relaxing on our little boat. Unfortunately it is jellyfish season so we could not swim. The water is still a little cool but it did look very inviting - but apparently these jelly fish leave a nasty sting and scar so not really worth it.
After the boat cruise we took another crazy bus ride up to the town of Anacapri where we then caught a chairlift up to the very top of the island. Absolutely beautiful view. It is interesting though that Naples cannot be seen from any viewpoint as it seems to be covered in smog. Does not look like a very inviting place.
We wandered around Anacapri which is a very sweet and pretty town then caught another crazy bus down to the main town of Capri. The kids had a little dip in the ocean on the "beach" - very large rocks and pebbles making it a very wobbly entrance to the water.
Ferry back to Sorento for gelato and coffee and then bus back to convent.
So in summary - bus-ferry-boat-bus-chairlift-bus-ferry-bus-gelato-bus. No wonder I feel tired this afternoon!!

Pompeii

Today we caught the train to Sorrento to check out what we should do for the next three days after getting some advise about Capri we though we should venture out to Pompeii which is near Napoli and go to Capri tomorrow. Pompeii is a town which was buried under ash and rock from the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in 79 AD. It is huge and absolutely amazing and very interesting.

Tuscany to Sorento

Today we did the long drive south to our next leg of the trip - Sorento. We are actually staying at a small town just outside Sorento, San Agnello in a convent for catholic nuns that is also a B&B, so it is a really interesting place to stay. We have the most amazing view of Mt Vesuvius from our window.
After arriving we just went for a wander into the town. It is very busy here and the roads are crazy. Planning to leave the car parked for the next few days.

Cinque Terre and leaning tower Pisa

HUGE DAY! We are exhausted. We set out afterbreakfast to drive towards the coast where we planned to catch the train along to the "cinque terre" - five villages built along the coastal cliffs. It is a national park area - recognised as world heritage for it's historical and natural significance. The villages and farms were all built by peasant farmers over many years and it is truly amazing where they have built these houses.
Fortunately things did not quite go according to plan (GPS is not good at finding train stations,no car parks when we did find it) so we ended up walking 3/5 of the "cinque terre". These towns are built on cliffs so you can imagine how many steps and hills were involved! It is well worth it - the views were spectacular. There is a walking path all the way along the coast line (cliffs!) between each of the five villages. So we started at Riomaggiore and walked to two more villages. (Three out of the five villages =3 /5) Along the way is the "del amore" where lovers put their name on a padlock and then throw the key into the sea. Very sweet. (You may have seen it on Getaway recently?)
The kids were very impressive today - my legs are worn out and they have done it all without complaints. They were fed gelato and chocolates along the way though!
And as if that was not enough...on the way home we took a stop by the Leaning Tower of Pisa. While it is touristy - it is still impressive. Cameron was even keen to climb it after all the walking we had already done!! Thank goodness it was closed for the day!
Back for a late dinner - our last evening in Tuscany. We have loved it here and Chris and I are already talking about how much we would like to return to this area one day.

Day trip to Florence

This morning we caught the bus into Florence from Chianti (about 30 min) and then spent the day wandering around Florence. It is a beautiful city.
We climbed to the rooftop of the Santa Maria Cathedral - 463 steps, many of them small and windy until we were literally standing on top of the enormous dome. It was very nerve wracking but worth it as the view was spectacular from up there.
Afterwards we had to have gelati - YUM!
And then we wandered on to the Ponte Vechio - the bridge that is famous for all the gold shops.
We also found some time to do a bit of shopping. :)
Great day - worn out. Found a really yummy local pizza place for dinner and had an early night.